Greetings,

This seems like the worst job for someone with ADD

I work the cafe at borders with one other person on weekend evenings. This position is really degrading me, makes me feel very goofy and ****ty. THe responsibilities of Cafe are vast, - i have to make complex drinks for customers, I have to remember (or look up) the codes for every single item they buy. In the free time, there is always something needing to be done, so dicking around isn't really a choice, but it happens to me a lot, and i get **** for it. there's stuff to do, but i don't usually think of it, and when im told of it, I feel like an idiot. this is just the start, it gets worse. the closing aspect of it requires a lot of little things to be performed. washing all dishes and tools, sweeping, mopping, picking up chairs, stocking food items and powders, cleaning coffee machines, emptying coffee containers, restocking all the little items, refilling ice, and it goes on from there.

I've been critiqued a lot after I moved on to this position. I used to just do cash register of the main book store, but I wanted to work in the cafe, so there i am.

I guess i'm asking for general suggestions as to what can be done. I've ****ed up a few times, like forgeting to do a certain task, which gets me *****ed at, so now im also paranoid of missing to do something. stupid mistakes happen sometimes also, for instance, a few days ago we didnt have any coffee in our air containers, so i was told to brew the guy a cup straight from the coffee makers. i took the pre-packed filters with coffee on them (which is another task we must routinely perform), but the coffee wasnt grounded, and i didnt even notice, until the coffee coming out was all clear. that was so stupid.

i got this position a couple months ago, before i started reading up on adhd and realized i had it all my life.

how does everyone reflect on this type of job position, and what can i do to not be so inefficient and acting stupid.

thanks a bunch

oh man, i SO know what you mean about not thinking to do things...

like...pshh, long time ago...maybe 8 yrs ago or something...my sister and i had this huge fight, which to me was the STUPIDEST thing ever, but it was also really hurtfull and eye opening...well, i was like, 11, but yeah...it was the first time i realized how much i dont think of things i can do...

we were unloading the car...and i had a bag with her shampoo in it...and she yelled at me for not checking if the lid was closed....???...honestly now, why would i think to do that?? Anyways, she went on to list millions of things i could think of to do, but i never do...and i tried to explain that its not like the thought comes to mind and i am like 'nahh, dont feel like doing that' its more like, it never comes to mind in the first place...


ANYWAYS, you can ignore that ramble :p the only thing i can think of...is to write down a list of things you have gotten yelled at previously for not doing...and when free time comes, pull it out, and look...the key is to actually remember to look at it, lol, i know that would prob be my biggest problem...and remembering to bring it...maybe you can find a place to keep it there??

thats all i can think of...hope it helps...

and where in MI you from, outta curiosity?

-Andrea

I worked in a cafe for a couple of years and loved it!!!! The constant change and fast paced were excellant for me. But, there were a few road blocks I had to overcome...First lamenate lists of what needs done when you have down time, check it off after you have completed each task and have a lamenated sheet of what needs done at closing time and check off each task. This way you have a way of keeping track of what needs done, what you have done until it becomes a habit. Worked for me!!!

Good luck!!!

haha, this is great, thanks everyone.


andrea,
i'm live in southfield and i am an international studies student at umich dearborn. i can certainly relate to what you wrote. all the jobs and responsibilities i've had in my life definitely had their share those sorts of incidents. i was just angry at myself, - it was a frustrating selfesteem killer, especially because i knew i am intelligent and many people have high expectations of me.


i've done this already before reading the thread, but yeah, lists help a ton. This is sort of task that can only be learned through repitition, and workign an extra day midweek helps a lot. additionally, taping down the closing list of all the things to do. We close on time now, and the job is going well, this has been a major stress reliever. We were told earlier last month about the need to up the efficiency in the store, so my ****ups i mentioned in my first post freaked me out because i did not want to lose this job. the last week or so has been much better because of the lists.


thx again,

peace, alex

glad to hear things are going way better :)

i go to umich ann arbor!

time to sleep now...

andrea